I want to tell you a story that I hope will encourage you.
Recently, an opportunity arose for me to join a team of young adults to go serve at a soup kitchen downtown Toronto. I had served at this place over three years ago now, and I remember very vividly, not liking it. I was only 16 or 17 and it was very overwhelming & intimidating. My job responsibility at that time, was to serve juice to all of the people that came through for their free, homemade dinner. I remember I didn't feel comfortable talking to the people that came and I remember standing around awkwardly for a lot of the time.
When the opportunity came up this time round, years later, I felt total resistance. I looked for excuses in every place possible, but none of them followed through. I didn't even get scheduled to work, on a Saturday, when I have open availability. All of these led up to me still wanting to say no. I thought about lying even, which is out of character for me. But I just did not want to go.
But then, I had a moment when my pastor messaged me asking if I was able to come, where I stopped and did a little heart check. I realized that the resistance I so strongly felt, was my flesh fighting against what I know, Jesus wants us to do while we are here on Earth.
There are so many verses about loving & serving the needy, but this one hit me when I read it for the first time:
But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:17
How would I be able to feel free from guilt, if I lied about being busy, and turned down the opportunity to go and serve those in need? There was no way! Once I realized what was happening, I knew right away that I needed to resist the resistance that I was feeling, and tell my pastor to count me in.
And oh my word, I was SO blessed! Our team served at Cornerstone, in the community of Regent Park, downtown Toronto. My job (along with a few other girls) was to serve juice. When that job was offered, I snatched it up because I was determined to try it out again.
I had such a wonderful experience talking with many different people, looking in their eyes, and seeing their hearts. As I was serving, I felt like I was floating. I felt the presence of Jesus there with me. Even if I got to talk to someone for a minute, asking them what they would like to drink, I felt like I made a connection with them. It was amazing to be able to shine the love of Jesus and my light to those who need it the most. My favourite part was connecting and hearing stories from different people. I even had the opportunity to sit and chat with a woman while she ate her dinner. She was so sweet and even tried to share her treasures she picked up from the store earlier that day. Each encounter warmed my heart!
Reflecting back on my past experience and comparing it to this time, I would say that because of my job working in retail, I have learned how to approach people that I have never met. This helped so much because I knew how to approach and start conversations out of thin air (ha!) and everyone felt way less intimidating!
Overall, I just wanted to share this with you guys so that you can see how, when you resist resistance, God can do absolutely wonderful things in AND through you! Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and allow God to stretch you. You might just find that you actually are good at whatever it is, or that you love it, more than you ever thought you would.
I pray, that when you guys learn to resist the resistance of your flesh, God would bless your hearts & that you, would be ready for anything!!
In omnia paratus
